UNPA should support 'secular candidate': Bardhan

Hyderabad, June 25: Communist Party of India (CPI) General Secretay A B Bardhan today appealed to the recently formed United National Progressive Alliance (UNPA) to support a secular candidate in the Presidential election.

Addressing the press here, he said the UNPA, a combination of eight regional political parties should either field its own candidate or else support a secular candidate in the Presidential poll.

The UNPA should also clarify whether it would support BJP-backed Presidential candidate Bhairon Singh Shekawat, who had an RSS background,' Mr Bardhan asked.

Alleging that the opposition parties were raising 'personality' issues rather than facing the presidential election in a fair manner, he urged them to stop criticising the UPA candidate Pratibha Patil.

Stating that the Presidential poll should be conducted in a dignified manner, the CPI leader said the Left parties were ready for a debate on Presidential powers and complexity of political situation.

Replying to a question, he said the Left parties were in favour of 'Left Democratic Front' and not a Third Front.' We want a political alternative to Congress and the BJP.'

UNI

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